International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On Thursday, February 11th the world recognizes the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. According to UNESCO data (2014-2016), there are far fewer female students entering post-secondary programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) than male students. Globally that might be as low as 1 female to 9 male students in these STEM programs. That imbalance may arise from long-standing biases and gender stereotypes which form barriers to women and girls entering STEM programs, or steer them away from those fields. We are not reaching our full potential!
“To rise to the challenges of the 21st century, we need to harness our full potential. That requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science.”
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Nunavut Arctic College has a lot to be proud of! Therefore, I would like to profile some of our gifted faculty working in STEM programs and introduce you to those amazing colleagues.
Jody Ningeocheak - Kivalliq Mine Training Coordinator
In Nunavut, the use of technology and engineering are essential for industry. The construction sector, aviation sector, transportation and tourism sectors in Nunavut require innovative and skilled staff to operate efficiently. The mining sector is a significant employer in Nunavut and that industry is often at the forefront of technology and innovative engineering.
Jody Ningeocheak was entrusted with state-of-the-art multi-million dollar technology as she became a leader in her field.
Jody had worked in the mining sector for 8 years before joining Nunavut Arctic College this past year. Jody worked under tight deadlines and stressful conditions. With a combination of determination and aptitude, Jody became an expert in operations and maintenance of multi-million dollar equipment like Haul Trucks, Loaders, Bulldozers and Excavators.
Jody was promoted to Trainer in 2019. A key component of her success was developing an understanding of the mechanics of massive machines: 150-tonne trucks, D8 and D9 bulldozer or the 500 Komatsu loader. Understanding her equipment ensured her safety and the safety of coworkers as well as contributing to the efficient operation of the mine.
Jody is now using her knowledge and expertise to train Nunavummiut using technology to use technology! Jody is responsible for the College’s sate of the art mobile HEO simulators and our 5DT 180o mining simulator at the Kivalliq Campus.
Please feel free to contact Jody about her experiences but also about how she is using technology to bring much-needed training to Nunavummiut.
Julia Landry - INSTRUCTOR – Environment Technology Program
Julia Landry has been teaching our Environmental Technology Program at Nunavut Arctic College since 2017. Julia came to ETP and the College from the K-12 education system in Nunavut where she taught high school science in Pond Inlet, then Iqaluit.
Julia has earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and a Bachelor of Education from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Julia is a ‘hands-on’ biologist and prefers working in the field. She has been a team member on two international studies in animal behaviour and entomology.
Julia has conducted scientific research in Banff National Park (Banff, Alberta) which used technology to help develop our understanding of elk. Julia was part of a team who used GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to track elk in Banff National Park. The scope of this study required Julia to spend weeks camping and backpacking through the park while she studied vegetation and elk behaviour. Julia also supported the research of other scientists who were studying black bears in 2006.
This experience has not only helped to improve scientific knowledge of these important species, but Julia’s experience is also passed along to her ETP students who often conduct biology research throughout our territory.
Julia has also conducted biological research on reptiles in Kejimkujik National Park (Caledonia, Nova Scotia). Julia’s work was part of an endangered reptile conservation plan. Blanding’s turtle and ribbon snakes are both endangered species, which are found in Kejimkujik National Park. For the turtle research, Julia was responsible for locating the animals using radio tracking while traveling by canoe. Turtle locations and nesting sites were recorded using GPS, new individual turtles were marked by filing notches into the animal’s shell. During nesting season, Julia worked with an individual turtle to locate and monitor the animal until it nested so that a protective enclosure could be placed over the eggs to prevent predation.
Julia is now using her knowledge and expertise to train students in our Environmental Technology Program. Julia still incorporates that love of the outdoors in her courses.
Please feel free to contact Julia about her experiences, about the Environmental Technology Program or tips on the best sliding spots in Frobisher Bay!
Tara Vanderveer - INSTRUCTOR – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Tara Vanderveer has been teaching our Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Nunavut Arctic College since 2016. Tara came to our Nursing Program and the College from Kingston, Ontario where she taught Microbiology at St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University.
Tara’s love for science started early. She was always the kid mixing shampoos, glitter, and grass to make “potions” and that curiosity has served her well. In high school, she took every science she could but was especially struck by her final project in bio where she had to work with her classmates to put together a BUFFALO skeleton!
Following high school, she attended the University of Waterloo to complete a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. It wasn’t easy for Tara but she persevered. Tara is open with her students about taking time off from her program to reassess her priorities.
Luckily Tara’s love of science brought her back to the program. After that reflection, Tara enrolled in St. Lawrence College in Kingston Ontario to do an advanced diploma in Biotechnology. This sparked Tara’s love for molecular biology and how DNA works (perhaps to her current biochemistry students’ dismay!).
Part of that program was a 3rd-year placement, which Tara completed in Dr. Virginia Walker’s lab at Queen’s University. In Dr. Walker’s lab at Queen’s University Tara was assigned to assist Ph.D. students with their work looking at the bacterial populations in arctic soil, lakes, and sediments! This was Tara’s first Nunavut Connection!
Tara applied the skills in microbiology, molecular biology, and ice nucleation mechanics and started her Masters of Science in the same lab. During that time, Tara realized she loved science, but she ADORED teaching science. As a teaching assistant, Tara learned how amazing it felt to help undergraduate students through tough genetics problems (and keep them motivated with plasmid-shaped cupcakes!). After a few years of teaching at Queen’s and St. Lawrence College, Tara and her family moved North to Iqaluit and have been here since 2016!
In her community of Iqaluit Tara supports the local science fairs, takes her students around to do science demonstrations for youth, and started the regional science fair. Tara still feels the pull of the lab and “doing science” so she is looking forward to creating opportunities for her NAC students to do some science and maybe author some papers that explore things such as, “What microbes are best to ferment whale?”
In her current courses in the Pre-Health and Nursing programs (ex: Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology), Tara hopes her love for science-ing, asking crazy questions, and trying out strange things is being handed down to the next generation of scientists!
Jane Pameolik - Pre-Health Student
The 24-year-old Pre-Health student at Nunatta campus has already won upwards of $10,000 in academic awards and scholarships. Jane enrolled in the Pre-Health program in September 2020, but her interest in health care began much earlier than that. In high school, her favourite subject was math and she said she was inspired to attend Nunavut Arctic College because of the minimal number of nurses working in Arviat, where she grew up. Her goal after completing Pre-Health is to complete NAC’s Nursing Program and eventually become a neonatal nurse, so that she can work primarily with babies.
Awards Won by Jane Pameolik:
CIBC Future Heroes Bursary Scholarship ($2500)
Indsipire’s Building Brighter Futures; Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards Program ($4000)
2020 Atuqtuarvik Coorporation Nunavut Sivuniksavut Alumni Scholarship ($2500)
NTI Scholarship Bursary ($1000)
Congratulations!
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Matthew Ayres,
Nunavut Arctic College - Dean, Trades and Technology